President's Letter
“Learn
everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can - there will always
come a time when you will be grateful you did.”
-Sarah Caldwell
Chicago
BTA is where we go to inspire each other, get ideas to refresh our business
travel management practices and become enthusiastic about what we do all
over again. It’s a place where
we learn. Let’s begin 2010 with
thoughts of appreciation and gratitude.
Congratulations and a big round of applause to ALL OF YOU who were there for
the fun of the Chicago BTA Chapter Meeting on December 2nd.
The night started with Cindy Novotny speaking on Repackaging Yourself
for the Tomorrow and advice for business travel customer service followed by
Chicago BTA awards recognition and then the fun – and gratitude – kicked in
with Chicago BTA’s annual holiday cocktail party and charity auction for the
Walter & Connie Payton Foundation (link -
http://www.payton34.com/
) This year was the
biggest yet. Chicago BTA
members and guests gave $9,995 in auction bids and $430 in gift cards for a
grand total of $10,425. Not to
mention the overflowing bin of toy donations, brought by members!
All proceeds went to the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation to support
their work providing holiday gifts to children in need.
Thank you to all who were there.
(pic #1
– Text: Debi Cretacci, Chicago BTA Charity Committee Chair and Trish Payton,
Walter & Connie Payton Foundation)
Speaking of appreciation and gratitude - please join me in congratulating
the following members who were recognized at the 4th Quarter
Meeting:
2009
Scholarship Winners: GLP 2 Day Program - Jim Sisco - Reed Elsevier,
Nick
Wambach - Steigenberger Hotels,
Vivian Smith -Tower Travel Management.
CCTE Core Week - Janet Friedman -ADTRAV Travel Management,
Ryan
Hoehne - DoubleTree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, Wayne Urbanek
- Lighthouse
Consulting. CGTE Core Week - Chris Blum - Carlson Wagonlit Travel. NBTA
Convention Registration: Betty Scislowicz - Information Resources Inc,
Jan Ueker - Lions Club International, Ellen Wehrs -
Underwriters Laboratories.
Newly
Elected Allied Council: Ground Transportation- David
Castelloni -Avis/Budget
Group, Technology & Travel Services-Kathy Garrett - Get There, Airline-
Mary Hustad -Delta Airlines, Hotel-Max Schroeder -Peninsula and Travel Management
Company – Vivian Smith - Tower Travel Management
The
December Meeting is also where Chicago BTA recognizes its Members of the
Year. These are special awards
given to individuals who through their abiding commitment to Chicago BTA
ideals and examples of leadership are a key reason for Chicago BTA being
such a strong and vibrant chapter today and into tomorrow.
They are leaders in the business travel industry, and beyond.
Members of the Year for 2009 are:
Wafa Haleem/Boston Coach – co-chair of Membership Committee, and
outgoing Allied Council/Ground Transportation.
Robin Anderson – Chair of Education Committee
(pic #
2 – Text: Cindy Gillen, Chicago
BTA President congratulates Wafa Haleem, Chicago BTA Member of the Year
2009)
(pic #3
– Text: Robin Anderson, Chicago BTA
Member of the Year 2009 and Cindy Gillen, Chicago BTA President)
Chicago
BTA now has a Facebook Fan Page.
(link to:
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Chicago-Business-Travel-Association/243954567498?ref=ts
)
Fan Pages help Chicago BTA members
get information and share it fast and timely.
Be first in the know.
Check it out, and sign up.
Sign up for the Chicago BTA Linked In group too!
2010 is
Chicago BTA’s 40th anniversary.
Thanks to each and every one of you for getting us this far.
The learning and sharing never stops.
It’s going to be a great year.
Welcome aboard! Please
have your seat belt securely fastened, and enjoy the ride!
Yours,
Cindy
Gillen
President
Yours,
Cindy Gillen
President
cgillen@bdo.com